NJAMHAA Applauds Surgeon General and other HHS Leaders’ Commitment to Addressing the Opioid Crisis

September 21, 2018

Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of
the Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, published a new
report, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's
Spotlight on Opioids, is a compelling, comprehensive and
much-needed resource. As opioid use disorder increases in
prevalence in New Jersey and across the nation and fatal
overdoses occur every day, it is imperative for everyone - not
just government leaders and substance use professionals - to do
everything they can to help address this devastating crisis.

In addition to providing updated information on the prevalence of
substance use overall and opioids in particular, it recommends
positive actions that individuals in all capacities - healthcare
and education professionals, researchers, employers, family
members and entire communities - can take to help prevent opioid
use disorders and ensure access to life-saving treatment.

It is heartening to see that HHS leaders are collaborating with
each other and with state governments and providers throughout
the country. Federal initiatives with appropriate funding are
essential for increasing access to services to prevent, treat and
provide recovery support for opioid addiction and other substance
use disorders.

In light of the challenges in addressing this overwhelming
problem, NJAMHAA is inspired by Jerome Adams' outline of reasons
for optimism, especially the emphasis on research, evidence-based
treatments and recovery support services to achieve the goal of
reversing the opioid crisis.